Xilinx, Inc. recently introduced a range of advanced solutions aimed at supporting the evolving demands of the broadcast and media industry. These include support for 3D TV, Ultra HDTV (IP TV), IPTV, Digital Cinema, and H.264 standards. The company’s new offerings are designed to help professional broadcast equipment designers create more cost-effective products that can adapt quickly to changing standards, ultimately reducing time-to-market. These solutions align with Xilinx's target design platform strategy, which was announced last year for specific market segments.
The product lineup includes several key components:
a. A broadcast connection function kit developed in collaboration with Tokyo Electron Device. This kit, based on the low-cost Spartan-6 FPGA family, supports triple-rate SDI, HDMI, DisplayPort, and V-by-One applications. It gives customers access to a variety of pre-defined video interfaces commonly used in the professional broadcast market.
b. Xilinx also showcased a broadcast processing engine IP core, allowing customers to perform full video processing directly on FPGAs without the need for additional hardware.
c. In partnership with VSofts, Xilinx introduced a low-latency H.264 AVC-Intra solution that reduces the encoded data rate and minimizes the delay between source video and output. This is particularly useful for real-time broadcasting.
d. Additionally, Xilinx and Coreworks launched a new audio codec IP core that supports the latest audio standards such as MPEG1 Layer II, Dolby E, Dolby Digital, and AAC+.
This release is significant because FPGAs offer the performance, cost efficiency, and flexibility needed to meet the fast-changing requirements of high-end broadcast equipment. With Xilinx’s ecosystem partners providing boards, IPs, and systems, designers can start development quickly. Moreover, the programmability of FPGAs allows for easy updates to new standards without requiring a complete system redesign.
The demand for FPGAs in the broadcast industry is driven by factors such as the rapid evolution of standards like 3DTV, digital cinema, and higher bandwidth needs. Companies that can adapt quickly gain a competitive edge and extend product lifecycles.
Xilinx solutions are especially appealing to broadcast and audio equipment manufacturers seeking cost-effective, flexible alternatives to ASICs or ASSPs. Audio designers looking to replace DSP chips to cut costs and power consumption also find these solutions attractive.
While there are alternative solutions using ASICs, ASSPs, and DSPs, they generally come with higher development costs and less flexibility compared to FPGAs. For instance, using multiple DSPs instead of Xilinx’s audio codecs could increase costs, power usage, and board space.
In terms of FPGA families, the Virtex-6 series targets high-performance applications, while the Spartan-6 series is tailored for low-cost, low-power designs. Both offer features like on-chip signal processing, transceivers, and memory.
Xilinx collaborates with third-party vendors like Coreworks and VSofts to integrate specialized IP and technologies into its platforms. This strategic partnership helps deliver value-added solutions to customers, supporting Xilinx’s Targeted Design Platform approach.
The Target Design Platform is a comprehensive solution that combines boards, tools, chips, IP, and design references to accelerate product development. At its core is Xilinx’s programmable technology, which enables faster adoption of new standards, lower power consumption, and reduced BOM costs. Examples include the broadcast connectivity kit and the broadcast processing engine, both launched in partnership with Tokyo Electron Device.
Working with other companies to provide IP is crucial for Xilinx. By collaborating with specialized partners, the company can offer manufacturers video, audio, and connectivity solutions that speed up design processes and reduce time-to-market.
Regarding availability, the Spartan-6 FPGA Broadcast Connectivity Kit is currently available for $1,995 and will ship in December. The beta version of the broadcast processing engine is expected before year-end, with the official release in Q1 2011. VSofts’ H.264 AVC-Intra IP will be added to Xilinx’s encoding portfolio, and the full broadcast design platform will launch in Q4 2010. Coreworks’ audio codec IP is set for October 2010, starting at $10,000, with additional licensing fees for Dolby content. Bundled IP packages will also be available.
Looking ahead, the broadcast industry continues to evolve rapidly. Xilinx’s diverse portfolio allows its experts to explore and innovate in areas such as 3D-TV, Ultra HD, Digital Cinema, H.264, IPTV, IP Video, JPEG2000, Digital Signage, and Mobile TV. This ongoing commitment ensures that Xilinx remains at the forefront of broadcast technology.
Cixi Xinke Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.cxxinke.com